That's a good questions di mel. I noticed these problems started with my oldest when she became a teenager and this is because of his own fears...not from anything my daughter does at all. TBH both my kids are so great and I'm so fortunate. Just to get internet on the other home computer(he has it on his) it took ridiculous convincing on my part - he was fearful she would get involved in sexual type chatting. Yes this is a realistic fear but I've taught both daughters well and the computers in the living room. Just to get my oldest an Ipod - had to go through the same convincing. My youngest got one last Xmas more easily.

Since my youngest will be 11 in Jan. those same fears aren't there yet. I don't know if it will be easier for her or not. I suspect it will happen and got a hint of that this past summer. I bought my youngest a 2 piece bathing suit and when he saw it he said - "you know soon you'll need to start buying a skirt type suit?" We only swim on our pool with me, the oldest and the youngest. The bottom completely covers the rear.

He responded to my oldest email and was impressed. He needs to trust I've raised them well to make their own decisions, rather than sheltering them excessively. I'm not saying she shouldn't have any boundaries but he's way too worried. He doesn't realize how lucky he is and she told him this. If she was getting too involved with boys, drugs, bad grades etc then he should worry. She got her report yesterday and her marks are 98, 95, 94 and 87. He needs to learn he doesn't have to control his children if they've already been taught good lessons. I've seen parents who hang on too tight and their kids end up rebelling/going wild.